Psalm 24

We have noted that Psalms 22-24 form a bit of a trilogy concerning the Suffering, All-Sufficient and Sovereign Lord.  Spurgeon’s note on this thought is good: "observe the wondrous operations of the Spirit upon the mind of Israel's sweet singer, enabling him to touch the mournful string in Psalm 22, to pour forth gentle notes of peace in Ps 23, and here to utter majestic & triumphant strains.  We can do or sing all things when the Lord strengtheneth us" (from The Treasury of David, Spurgeon’s note of introduction.

This Psalm has as a backdrop the bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:12-19).  It is Messianic, thanks to vs.7-10 where the Messianic King enters Jerusalem.  A simple outline might be as follows:

·        The True God, v1-2.

·        The True People, v3-6.

·        The True Redeemer, v7-10.

The Sovereignty of God is based in the thought that we are possessors of what we have made.  There was a bit of a humorous story told by Betty Elliot, the missionary to the Auca Indians of Ecuador.  They thought she had stolen her possessions because when they asked her who had made those things she didn’t know the answer.  It is a fundamental, common sense truth that the Creator owns all He has made and what He has made is thus responsible to Him.  That is why people seek to suppress that truth (Rom. 1:18-20) by removing God from the origin of the universe.  Certainly David, who had tried to bring the Ark into the city once before, with tragic consequences (2 Sam. 6:1-11), had learned the truth of God’s rule.

Likewise that story would have emphasized the nature of the people who serve at and come to worship at the place where the Ark of God rested.  This was the place of God’s dwelling with His people.  Thus those people must come in purity.  It was not enough that the leaders were appointed (1 Chron. 15:5-10; 16:4-6).  They must have clean hands (actions) and pure hearts (motives).  James 4:8 repeats this for us.  Men must not think they can serve two masters; thus when they come to worship there can be no idolatry or falsehood.  This is what the Nation (Jacob) was to be.  Certainly their history would prove over and over, and our clear view from this side of the cross would demonstrate as well, that only by faith in God’s Anointed Son could there be the righteousness imputed that would allow us access by grace into the holy of holies!

So now the Ark of the Presence has come to rest in the place David had made for it.  So the Psalm turns to praise as God Himself comes to dwell with His people.  The King of Glory has come in!  If we may be permitted, listen to one of Spurgeon’s commentators (John Boys) expound on the King of Glory.

Christ in 2 respects is the king of Glory.  1. For that all honour and glory belongs properly to him--his is "the kingdom, the power, and the glory" (Mt 6:13), called in this regard "The Lord of glory."  1Cor 2:8. 2. For that Christ maketh us partakers of his glory, termed in this respect our glorious Lord Jesus.  Jas 2:1.  If the Lord of hosts, strong and mighty in battle, be the king of glory, then Christ (having conquered all his enemies, and made them his footstool, triumphing over death, and the devil which is the founder of death, and sin which is the sting of death, and the grave which is the prison of death, and hell itself which is the proper dominion of the devil & death) is doubtless in himself, "the king of glory".  And for as much as he died for our sins, & is risen again for our justification, & is ascended on high to give gifts unto men--in this life grace, in the next glory--what is he less than a "King of glory" towards us of whom and through whom alone we that fight his battles are delivered from the hands of all that hate us, and so made victors (1 Cor 15:57), yea, "more than conquerors." Rom 8:37

Worship the Coming King today!